Newbie question on speaker-receiver powering

[arcticranger]

I am not an audio expert as you will see.

I bought a pair of Yamaha L830's yesterday at J&R in New York. Specs on these say

max recommended amp power: 150W
power handling (continuous/peak): 75W/300W

intended to use these with an old Yamaha AX-400U which is 55W per channel amp. Only had the time to hook up the right speaker this morning and test 3 different CDs, soft electronic to heavy rock.

At the quietest sections of music I am getting either nothing or a crackling noise, which kinda freaked me out. I'd given the guy at J&R the receiver specs and he'd assured me the AX-400U could drive the JBLs.

The wiring is pretty old, it was used ten years ago for a Yamaha NS10 setup with banana plugs. I tore those off today and went straight wire into the receiver and speaker.

I don't want to damage these with a too-low input, or incorrect wiring.

Any advice?

arc